Judges 17:1-18:31
All through Judges the people of Israel insist on doing their own thing and wind up in trouble because of it. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). As I read I kept looking for things that were based on and following God's law. I didn't find anything and the further I got in our passage the worse it seemed to get.
The story of Micah and the Danites provides us with a picture, as well as a good reminder, of just how messed up our lives (and our thinking) can get when we live for self and not for God.
So what are some things we can do to help keep God and His Word front and center, driving our thoughts and actions--individually, as a family, in our churches? Tami W.
I wonder what "household gods" I've allowed into my home? May the true God of Israel inhabit this home and surround this family today!
It is easier to do HIS thing! What do we get out of it? Amazing love! One day with Him is better than a thousand elsewhere(Psalm 84:10); He gave His life for our ransom(Matthew 20:27-28); We enter into His glory Luke 24; We're made alive (Ephesians 2:4-5); We belong to the household of faith (Galatians 6:10); We can resist temptation to sin and run the race (Hebrews 12:1); Abide in His love and joy,called His friends,He chose us, we can ask Him anything! (John 15:9-11,13,15-16) He proved His love while we were still sinners. We have His perfect love (1 Corinthians 13).
I'm sure there are thousands more. It's in the Bible! We need it.
We have to put God first, first and first. He should be the head of our household. We must teach our children the love of God and the love for each other. We must let them know because we are human we do err but our Lord is quick to forgive us if we earnestly confess and seek His forgiveness. We also must forgive others.
We cannot have too much of God's Word so we must read, study and pray. Please pray our country and the leadership. Our late Prime Minister, Mr David Thompson died last Saturday. Please pray for comfort for his wife, three children, parents and people of Barbados and for a smooth transition as the new PM, Mr. Freundel Stuart takes over. Thank you all for your prayers.
Household goods - it's very easy in our society (myself included) to have money, belongings, status, fame become our God. The important thing is to make time for God in everything. We need to model that for our families too. Taking time to read the Bible together and pray together is very important.
I wrestle with having ornaments. Wondering are they things I put above Christ because I enjoy looking at them? Your right Tami seems like everyone is making mistakes in these passages. I think my keeping in God's word especially P4 has helped me. I will be closer to Him and more able to do His will and not my own. Going to Church and fellowshiping. Thank you Tami and BTTB for your insites and sharing God's love. :O)
They are many tendencies,habits,thoughts and attitudes in our lives we allow, which seems "HARMLESS" but they can become dominating forces and separate us from God. The values,attitudes and the practices we have adopted from the world can be exposed by applying Gods light of truth, once we see them for what they are, we can begin to uproot them and set examples for others to follow on the path of righteousness.